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Four TNA MPs appeal to the international community to pay attention to the increasing disappearances

Full text of the appeal:

1996 disappearance cases against Sri Lankan military comes up to high courts

Eleven years on, the Sri Lankan military’s conduct of disappearing people not only continues unabated but also is celebrated by the military hierarchy.

A case of 25 disappearances after arrest by the Sri Lankan military in a single incident on 19 July 1996 was brought to the Jaffna magistrate court. Judge Premshankar, who heard the case in the magistrate court, has determined that sufficient evidence exists against Sri Lankan military officials functioning under Lt Col Thumintha. The judge has submitted the case in the high courts for further hearing.

Of the 25 people who disappeared on that day following arrests by the Sri Lankan officials, 21 are from one single village. A total of 700 people disappeared during June to August of 1996 in Jaffna by the Sri Lankan military. An Association of Parents of the Disappeared has been pursuing the cases of their children’s disappearance for the last 11 years with no outcome.

This case and the determination by the judge that sufficient evidence of guilt against Sri Lankan military officials exists to proceed with the case in the high courts at this juncture is ironic. At least 635 people have been disappeared by the military over the last twelve months with absolute impunity. It is continuing at a rate of three or four disappearance every day at this very moment.

Many of the military officials directly involved in cases of disappearance have been given promotions. In Sri Lanka, the culture of impunity is openly displayed as something desired and celebrated.

Tamil people wonder why this practice by the Sri Lankan military is not addressed by the international community with the kind of vigor that it demands. Is there a human rights that is worse than enforced disappearance.

Signed

S Kajenthiran
Pathmini Sithamparanathan
K Sivanesan
P Ariyanenthiran

18 February 2007

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